Blog.CobraVolleyball.com

WE LOVE IT! (Cobra Indoor/Outdoor Volleyball Net)

2012-04-28T18:25:46Z

Hey Les and Shelly,

I wanted to let you know how FANTASTIC the Cobra indoor/outdoor volleyball net system is for us! Our gym was built in 1934 before in-floor volleyball systems so when I took over the middle school volleyball program, I was given the task of rigging up the net. This meant tying the net to the window and the wall because there were no poles or room for portable poles. It was horrible: the net sagged, it was held down by a basket of bowling pins, balls hit into the net didn’t bounce back. It was unsafe and dysfunctional! It made the program look and feel “bush league”!

Last spring we raised funds to buy a system, anything was better than what we had. When I saw the Cobra System online I couldn’t believe it. It was portable, functional, and cost effective. EXACTLY what we needed! Les provided me with sage advice and I was able to install the system with no problems. Les’ technical support was invaluable! Now we are able to put up/take down the system in less than 5 minutes, it has variable heights, it has padded poles so it is safe. Practice no longer starts or ends with the dreaded net! WE LOVE IT!

I tell everyone about the system and would recommend it to any program at any level!

Thanks for all you’ve done!

janet

dr janet bogle, PhDS
Salmon Bay School
206-252-1776

Guyana begin volleyball season with special Volleyball Festival

2012-02-11T16:13:07Z

Georgetown, Guyana, February 9, 2012 – The Guyana Volleyball Federation successfully launched its 2012 season last Sunday as they hosted a special Volleyball Festival in honour of President Lennie Shuffler’s 73rd birthday in Georgetown.

The festival attracted a host of teams from across the country and featured two sections.

Up first was the four-a-side competition, with all matches played over eight minutes. Many of these matches featured female players against junior males and “mixed teams” as well as “beginner players” against “B” players of more established teams. The Guyana Hockey Federation female team caused a major upset during this part of the tournament after defeating the “B” players of the national under 19 team, prompting many officials to ask whether they should give volleyball a try.

The second section of the day saw Demerara and Berbice clash in a match described as a relay format, with the first six of each team playing for 10 minutes (with no time outs or substitutions) and the second six continuing for the next 10. The match proved to be a fitting climax with both teams producing some exciting rallies. Demerara led 18-15 at the first changeover before Berbice rallied back with the score tied at 32-32 when time expired. The officials decided on a one minute playoff and the Berbice players held their nerve to triumph 34-33.

The event was deemed highly successful by volleyball players and fans alike, particular because of the interaction between regular players and beginners.

“This was the most fulfilling birthday present I ever got,” Shuffler said at the end of the day, before congratulating the Berbice team and presenting captain Errol Yannick Chase with the trophy.

President Shuffler also thanked all associated with the successful event and called for more continued support in the future.

Tags: volleyball equipment, volleyball court, volleyball and net, volleyball net, volleyball nets, sand volleyball net, volley ball

Cook/Hinchley clinch latest stage on Aussie tour

2012-02-11T16:11:28Z

Melbourne, Australia, February 9, 2012 - Olympic Gold Medallist Natalie Cook and partner Tamsin Hinchley took bragging rights on round four of the Renault Australia National Beach Volleyball Series last Sunday at St Kilda Beach despite vicious Melbourne weather conditions, defeating Olivia Orchard and Stacey Naismith 21-16, 21-13.

Coming off the back of a successful win in round three, Cook and Hinchley did not lose a set throughout the event, dominating the net throughout the weekend.

“The girls performance is clear indication on how they will be handling the next few months leading into qualifying period for the next Olympic games,” said commentator and previous Olympic patner Kerri Pottharst.

Cook is currently in the mix for an unprecedented fifth Olympic Games through the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup and if she and Hinchley can finish in the top three of the final zonal tournament in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand which begins next Thursday, the duo will be just one step from a London 2012 berth. The winners of the Continental Cup will gain an automatic place at the Games.

“Tamsin and I have been working on some new systems in the lead up to the Olympics and the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series this summer has really helped us prepare,” Cook revealed.

In the mens final, fifth seeded Cedric Legrand and Will Mercer picked up a narrow 14-21, 21-18, 15-12 victory over number two seeds Joshua Slack and Chris Mchugh

Both teams remained aggressive despite the rain however Legrand and Mercer took advantage of the vicious conditions serving aggressively into the wind.

“We haven’t made the finals all series so to get to here and win is a fantastic feeling, especially on my home sand,” Legrand said.

80 knot winds throughout the match, event marquees coming down and match play continued throughout a sand storm on St Kilda Beach.

Severe conditions did not keep crowds away with locals sticking around throughout rough winds and pouring rain.

Pottharst explained that although teams have experienced all sorts of conditions throughout the Australian summer, these are possible the worst wind gusts seen throughout the finals.

St Kilda will host the following round five of the Renault National Beach Volleyball Series from February 17 to 19.

Tags: volleyball equipment, volleyball net, volleyball nets, volleyball and net, volleyball court,
sand volleyball net

Fiji fired up for Continental Cup

2012-02-11T15:43:21Z

Suva, Fiji, February 8, 2012 – Fijian pair Aisake Raratabu and Waisale Suka have said that the pressure is on them to perform at the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup zonal tournament in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand when it begins next Thursday as the Pacific Games gold medallists target a spot at the finals.

The duo forms part of the team set to take on Australia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the hosts and are well aware of the challenge that faces them.

"This is not an easy tournament, it is more tough than the Pacific Games so we are lifting our preparation to another level," said Raratabu, who is more used to battling flames than other beach volleyball teams in his regular job as a fireman. "We want to finish as the top team, right now we are number one and the pressure is there on us. Other teams will be gunning to beat us but we are prepared for that."

The duo were with different partners when they qualified for the zonal tournament, Raratabu with Qilu Elliot and Suka with Mikaele Tuvoli, but are still confident on helping their side qualify.

"If we can win in 2010 why can't we do it again in 2012?” Suka added in their interview with the Fiji Times. “Nothing is impossible and I have faith in myself that we will have a good outing in New Zealand next week.”

Fiji will need to finish in the top three to seal a spot in the Continental Cup final where they will take on 11 other countries for a London 2012 Olympic Games berth.

Tags: volleyball net, volleyball nets, volleyball equipment, volleyball court, volleyball and net,
sand volleyball net

COBRA SPORTS

Two coaches courses completed in Cairo

2012-02-11T15:35:01Z

Cairo, Egypt, February 8, 2012 – Volleyball development continued to make strides in Egypt recently after a Level I and II FIVB Coaches Course concluded on Sunday.

The two events were running concurrently, with both beginning on January 23.

The Level I course, directed by Egypt’s Sherif El Shemerly, was attended by 34 people while Bulgaria’s Jivko Jetchev directed the Level II event which had 27 participants.

The closing ceremony was attended by Aly El Sergany, president of the Egyptian Volleyball Federation alongside various other members of the Board of Administration.

COBRA SPORTS

Tags: volleyball equipment, volleyball net, volleyball coach, volleyball court, volleyball and net, backyard volleyball net, volleyball nets, sand volleyball net

U.S. Women’s Weekly Update for Feb. 6

2012-02-11T15:32:22Z

Bill Kauffman
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 6, 2012) – The current U.S. Women's National Team Weekly update released on Feb. 6 includes briefs on U.S. players competing overseas and other team news.

TOM WITH FENERBAHCE UNIVERSAL IN TURKEY: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) is competing for Fenerbahce Universal of the Turkish League in 2011-2012. Fenerbahce dominated Ankaragucu 25-14, 25-9, 25-13 on Feb. 4 as Tom did not compete in the match. Fenerbahce defeated Eregli Belediyesi 25-27, 25-8, 25-20, 25-20 on Feb. 5 to stay undefeated in the Turkish League. Tom notched eight kills on 25 attacks, four aces and a block for 13 points. She added a 58 positive reception percent on 24 chances. Fenerbahce, 16-0 on the regular season with 48 points, plays Iller Bankasi on Feb. 12 in its next Turkish League match. In CEV Champions League action, Fenerbahce stopped VK Modranska Prostejov 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-16 on Feb. 1 in Czech Republic. Tom totaled 13 points with nine kills on 24 swings, three aces and a block in the victory. She added a 71 positive reception percent on a team-high 21 chances. For a photo gallery of the match, click here. The teams meet again on Feb. 9 in Istanbul to conclude the home-and-home series. To watch the match live online, click here.click here. The teams will complete the home-and-home series on Feb. 9 in Azerbaijan. To watch the match live online, click here. To read Glass’ blog, click here.

HODGE, ALISHA GLASS WITH POLAND’S ATOM TREFL SOPOT: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) and setter Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.), both Penn State University products, are playing for Poland’s Atom Trefl Sopot in 2011-2012. Sopot (13-3) edged KS Palac Bydgoszcz 23-25, 25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 15-10 on Feb. 5 in PlusLiga regular season action. Hodge was a reserve in the first, fourth and fifth sets producing four kills on seven errorless attacks. Glass did not compete in the match. The PlusLiga completes the 18th and final regular season round next week as Sopot plays KPSK Stal Mielec on Feb. 12. In CEV Champions League action, Sopot topped 2011 CEV Champions League runnerup Rabita Baku 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 on Feb. 1 to begin a home-and-home series in the 8th Final Round. Hodge scored a match-high 28 points with 26 kills on 54 swings and two blocks. She also handled 39 service receptions with a 56 positive percent. Glass set Sopot to a 43 kill percent for the match while providing two blocks. For a photo gallery of the match,

CRIMES, MIYASHIRO, LICHTMAN WITH POLAND’S BKS ALUPROF BIELSKO-BIALA: U.S. Women’s National Team middle blocker Alexis Crimes (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), spiker Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) and libero Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) are competing for BKS Aluprof Bielsko Biala in the Poland Plus Liga. After a week hiatus for the Polish Cup, Bielsko-Biala returned to regular season action on Feb. 5, only to lose to Organika Budowlani Lodz 25-20, 25-18, 25-22. Miyashiro provided 15 service receptions with an 80 positive percent. Lichtman earn the match start and played the first two sets recording one kill on two attacks. Bielsko-Biala ends the regular season with the 18th Round match against KS Palac Bydgoszcz on Feb. 12. Bielsko-Biala edged Italian Serie A1 regular season leader Yamamay Busto Arsizio 26-24, 25-20, 19-25, 19-25, 15-7 on Jan. 31 to start their CEV Cup 4th Final Round home-and-home series. Bielsko-Biala saved a set point in the opening period to earn a 26-24 victory, then led by as many as nine points in the second set. Busto Arsizio controlled the third and fourth sets to send the match into a tie-breaker. Bielsko-Biala never trailed in the fifth set and were leading 8-3 at the court switch after earning four unanswered points. The teams will complete the series on Feb. 9.

DAVIS, RICHARDS WITH PIACENZA IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team libero Nicole Davis (Stockton, Calif.) and outside hitter Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) are part of the Italian Serie A1 Rebecchi Nordmeccanica Piacenza squad in 2011-2012. Piacenza defeated Riso Scotti Pavia 31-29, 25-18, 31-29 in an exciting three-set match on Feb. 5. Davis supplied 46 service receptions with a 59 positive percent. Richards did not compete in the match as she attended to personal matters back in the United States. Piacenza, now 8-7 with 22 points for fifth place in the Serie A1, challenges ninth-place Cariparma SiGrade Parma (5-10, 16 points) in its next Serie A1 match on Feb. 11.

BERG, WILSON WITH VILLA CORTESE IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team setter Lindsey Berg (Honolulu) and past U.S. National Team player Makare Wilson (Gardena, Calif.) are playing for MC-Carnaghi Villa Cortese in the Italian Serie A1 in 2011-2012. Villa Cortese defeated Cariparma SiGrade Parma 25-14, 26-24, 25-15 on Feb. 5. Wilson scored nine points with six kills on eight attacks and three blocks in the victory. Berg did not play in the match. Villa Cortese resumes Italian Serie A1 action on Feb. 12 against Norda Foppapedretti Bergamo. In CEV Champions League action, Villa Cortese edged Russia’s Dinamo Moscow 25-20, 25-18, 18-25, 23-25, 15-12 in a home win on Feb. 1 to start its 8th Final Round home-and-home series. Wilson was credited with 12 points via seven kills on 17 attacks, four blocks and an ace. Berg was not available to play in the match. For a photo gallery of the match, click here. The two teams conclude the home-and-home series on Feb. 9. To watch the match live online, click here.

LLOYD WITH BUSTO ARSIZIO IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team setter Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) is playing for Yamamay Busto Arsizio of the Italian Serie A1 for the 2011-2012 season. Yamamay Busto Arsizio remains undefeated in the Italian Serie A1 division with a 14-0 record and 40 points after topping LIU-JO Modena 25-12, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17 on Feb. 4. Lloyd set her squad to a 43 kill percent while adding three individual kills on nine attacks, two blocks and an ace for six points. Busto Arsizio returns to Serie A1 regular season action on Feb. 11 against 11th-place Riso Scotti Pavia (0-15, 1 point). In CEV Cup action, Busto Arsizio enters the 4th Final Round with a home-and-home series against Poland’s Aluprof Bielsko Biala on Jan. 31 and Feb. 9.

BARBOZA, HARMOTTO WITH MODENA IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) and middle blocker Christa Harmotto (Hopewell, Pa.) are competing for LIU-JO Modena of the Italian Serie A1 in 2011-2012. Modena lost to league leader Yamamay Busto Arsizio 25-12, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17 on Feb. 4. Harmotto scored a team-high 13 points with nine kills on 22 attacks and four blocks. Barboza added two kills and a block in a starting role. Modena, ranked eighth in the Serie A1 Division with a 5-10 record and 17 points, is idle this coming week.

KLINEMAN WITH PESARO IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Alix Klineman (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) is competing for Scavolini Pesaro of the Italian Serie A1 in the 2011-2012 club season. In CEV Champions League action, Pesaro lost 25-16, 25-20, 25-22 to Volley Bergamo to open the 8th Final Round home-and-home series. Klineman scored seven kills on 18 attacks, one block and one ace as she started the first two sets and came off the bench in the third set. For a photo gallery of the match, click here. The two teams complete the series on Feb. 9. To watch the match live online, click here. Pesaro’s regularly scheduled fifth round match versus third-place Chateau d’Ax Urbino Volley (10-3, 30 points) was pushed to Feb. 15. Pesaro’s next Italian Serie A1 match will take place on Feb. 12 against fourth-place Asystel Volley Novara (10-4, 23 points). Pesaro currently sits in seventh place with a 6-8 record and 18 points.

PAOLINI WITH ICOS CREMA IN ITALY: U.S. Women’s National Team middle blocker Lauren Paolini (Ann Arbor, Mich.) is playing for Icos Crema Volley in the Italian Serie A2 Division for 2011-2012. Icos Crema held off seventh-place Assistur Corriere Espresso Soverato 25-17, 25-15, 18-25, 23-25, 15-7 on Feb. 5. Paolina tallied 15 kills on 30 attacks and seven blocks for a match-high 22 points. She also provided three service receptions with a 67 positive percent. Icos Crema improved to 14-4 with 42 points in the Serie A2 standings for third place. Icos Crema will face 16th-place Time Volley Matera in its next Serie A2 match on Feb. 12.

SYKORA WITH VOLEI FUTURO IN BRAZIL: Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) has returned to Brazil to compete with her club team Volei Futuro in the Brazil Superliga. Sykora returned to the court for her first official appearance on Jan. 20 after suffering serious injuries in an April 2011 bus accident as Volei Futuro was traveling to a post-season match in the Brazil Superliga. Volei Futuro handled Mackenzie 25-20, 25-14, 25-15 on Jan. 31 as Sykora continued to serve as the team’s libero. Volei Futuro out-lasted Rio Do Sul 25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17 on Feb. 3. Volei Futuro, ranked second in the league with 30 points and a 9-2 record, plays Sao Bernardo on Feb. 7 live on SporTV, followed by a Feb. 10 match with Banana Boat.

HOOKER WITH SOLLYS/NESTLE IN BRAZIL: Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) is competing for Sollys/Nestle in the Brazil Superliga during the 2011-2012 club season. Sollys/Nestle topped Sao Caetano 25-18, 25-23, 25-21 on Jan. 31 as Hooker scored eight points in the victory to open the second half of the season. Hooker notched seven points as Sollys/Nestle recorded a 25-22, 24-26, 25-15, 25-17 victory over Mackenzie on Feb. 3. Sollys/Nestle, now in fourth place with an 8-3 record and 25 points, plays Rio Do Sul on Feb. 7 followed by a Feb. 10 match with Sao Bernardo live on Esporte Interctive. To follow Hooker in social media platforms, visit destineehooker19.blogspot.com for her blog and click here for her Facebook athlete page.

SCOTT-ARRUDA WITH SAO BERNARDO IN BRAZIL: Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.), a four-time Olympian for the U.S. Women’s National Team and attempting to become just the third women’s volleyball to compete in five Olympics, signed midway through the 2011-2012 season to play for Sao Bernardo in the Brazil Superliga. Sao Bernardo dropped a 25-21, 25-15, 25-22 match to Usiminas on Jan. 31. Scott-Arruda scored six points in the match with five kills and one block while adding nine digs. Sao Bernardo pushed Pinheiros to five sets before losing 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 16-25, 15-8 on Feb. 3. Scott-Arruda contributed a team-high 15 points with 11 kills on 22 attacks and four blocks. Sao Bernardo, now 4-7 overall with 12 points for eight place, plays second-place Volei Futuro on Feb. 7 live on SporTV followed by a Feb. 10 match against Sollys/Nestle live on Esporte Interactive.

LARSON WITH DINAMO KAZAN IN RUSSIA: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) is competing for Dinamo Kazan of the Russia Super League. Kazan topped second-place Uralochka-NTMK 25-19, 25-20, 35-33 on Feb. 5 to improve to 13-2 overall with 37 points in the Russia Super League. Kazan, which is in first place with a two-match lead over Uralochka, returns for action on Feb. 12 against eighth-place Odintsovo (6-9). In CEV Champions Cup action, Kazan dominated Dresdner SC 25-12, 25-20, 25-13 on Feb. 1 on the road. Larson charted seven kills on 21 attacks, two blocks and two aces for 11 points in the victory. For a photo gallery of the match, click here. The two teams meet again on Feb. 9 to conclude the series. To watch the match live online, click here. To read Larson’s blog, click here.

AKINRADEWO WITH DINAMO KRASNODAR IN RUSSIA: U.S. Women’s National Team middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) is competing for Dinamo Krasnodar of the Russia Super League in 2011-2012. Krasnodar (10-5, 32 points) lost for the second consecutive time in the Russia Super League with a 25-16, 15-25, 25-23, 30-28 setback to fourth-place Dinamo Moscow on Feb. 5. Akinradewo tallied five kills on 13 errorless attacks to go with two blocks for seven points. Krasnodar, now in third place, looks to break its two-match losing streak on Feb. 12 against Tyumen. In CEV Cup action, Krasnodar handled SVS Post Schwechat 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 on Feb. 1 to start its 4th Final Round home-and-home series. The two teams meet again on Feb. 7.

KIM GLASS, SPICER WITH RABITA BAKU IN AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Women’s National Team outside hitter Kim Glass (Lancaster, Pa.) and setter Nellie Spicer (Barrington, Ill.) are competing for Rabita Baku of the Azerbaijan Super League. In CEV Champions League action, Rabita Baku lost the opening match of the 8th Final Round home-and-home series with Atom Trefl Sopot on Feb. 1. Glass was a sub in the second set, while Spicer was a reserve in the second and third sets before starting the fourth set helping the team to a 39 kill percent the last period. The teams will meet again on Feb. 9 for the return match in Azerbaijan. To watch the match live online, click here.

BOWN, TAMAS WITH AZERRAIL BAKU IN AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Women’s National Team middle blockers Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Jennifer Tamas (Milpitas, Calif.) are playing for Azerrail Baku in the Azerbaijan Super League in 2011-2012. Azerrail will face Lokomotiv Bilejeri tentatively on Feb. 12 in its next Super League match after a winter European storm canceled last week’s matches. Azerrail defeated Volero Zurich 25-19, 22-25, 26-24, 25-16 on Feb. 1 to open the CEV Champions League 8th Final Round home-and-home series. Bown contributed 19 points with 12 kills on 21 swings, five blocks and two aces. Tamas was a sub in the third set. For a photo gallery of the match, click here. The two teams meet again on Feb. 8 to conclude the series in Azerbaijan. To watch the match live online, click here.

METCALF, THOMAS WITH LOKOMOTIV BAKU IN AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Women’s National Team opposite Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) and middle blocker Elisha Thomas (Grass Valley, Calif.) are playing for Lokomotiv Baku of the Azerbaijan Super League in 2011-2012. Lokomotiv Baku (3-2) will play Baki tentatively on Feb. 12 in its next Super League round after matches this past week were canceled due to the European winter weather and travel problems. In CEV Cup action, Lokomotiv opened its CEV Challenge Cup 8th Final Round home-and-home series with a 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18 victory over Vizura Beograd on Feb. 1. The two teams meet again on Feb. 8 to cap the series.

HANEEF-PARK WITH IGTISADCHI BAKU IN AZERBAIJAN: U.S. Women’s National Team opposite Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) is playing in the Azerbaijan Super League with Igtisadchi Baku in 2011-2012. Igtisadchi will face Azeryolservis on Feb. 12 in the next Azerbaijan Super League round after winter weather and travel canceled this past week’s league schedule.

GIBBEMEYER WITH TOYOTA AUTO BODY IN JAPAN: U.S. Women’s National Team middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer is playing for Toyota Auto Body of the Japan V-League during the 2011-2012 club season. Toyota dropped a 25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 25-21 match to fourth-place JT on Feb. 4 as Gibbemeyer scored 13 kills on 26 attacks without an error to go with one block for 14 points. Toyota bounced back to top eighth-place NEC 27-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18 on Feb. 5 as Gibbemeyer contributed 17 kills on 38 swings with one block for 18 points. Toyota, now 4-9 on the season and in sixth place, continues its schedule with matches against second-place Toray (11-2) on Feb. 11 and third-place Hisamitsu (8-5) on Feb. 12 at Gifu.

THOMPSON, JONES, FORSETT WITH CATANO IN PUERTO RICO: U.S. Women’s National Team setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.), outside hitter Angie Forsett (Lake Mary, Fla.) and middle blocker Jessica Jones (Naperville, Ill.) are playing for Catano in the Puerto Rico Super League. Catano topped Juncos 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 on Jan. 31 as Forsett scored a team-high 14 points – all on kills – to lead the squad. She added 13 digs for a double-double. Jones was credited with five kills and three blocks for eight points, while Thompson provided 20 assists, one kill and one ace. However, Catano fell to Corozal 1-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 on Feb. 3. Forsett notched 13 kills, two blocks and two aces for 17 points to go with 13 digs. Thompson charted 10 assists and 13 digs to go with two kills and a block. Jones chipped in six kills and four blocks for 10 points. Catano, currently in fourth place with a 5-2 record, plays Ponce on Feb. 6, Guaynabo on Feb. 8, and Corozal on Feb. 10.

OTHER AMERICAN HIGHLIGHTS IN PUERTO RICO: Caguas is the only undefeated team in the Puerto Rico Super League with a7-0 record, followed by Mayaguez with a 6-2 record. Corozal and Catano are both 5-2 in the league…Julie Bennett tallied a team-high 27 points while Shonda Cole added 17 points and Ashley Benson notched 11 points in Corozal’s five-set win over Bayamon on Jan. 30. In the loss, Kelly Wing recorded a match-high 28 points and Erin Moore added 19 points for Bayamon. Brianne Barker provided 18 assists, 15 digs and two kills in the loss…Juncos’ Kim Willoughby scored 12 points in a three-set loss to Catano on Feb. 31…Blair Brown scored 13 points to propel Mayaguez to a three-set win over Ponce on Jan. 31 as her American teammates Stephanie Niemer added 11 points and Sydney Anderson provided 10 assists and six kills. Ponce was led by Airial Salvo’s 12 points, followed by Meagan Ganzer’s 11 points and Kelsey Black’s four points…Michelle Bartsch totaled 18 points and 14 digs in leading Toa Baja to a five-set victory over Corozal on Feb. 1. Julie Bennett tallied a match-high 26 points in the loss, while Shonda Cole added 15 points and Ashley Benson nine points…Cagaus defeated Bayamon in three sets on Feb. 1 as Brooke Delano tallied five points in the victory. Erin Moore scored a team-high 10 points in the loss, while Kelly Wing added six points and Brianne Barker handed out four assists and two points…Blair Brown notched 14 points and Stephanie Niemer added 10 points in Mayaguez’ four-set win over Guaynabo on Feb. 2. Sydney Anderson added 19 assists and five points in the victory. In the loss, Kelly Murphy scored a triple-double with 11 points, 12 assists and 10 digs, while Kristy Jaeckel tallied 12 points…Corozal’s Shonda Cole hammered 23 points and Julie Bennett added 17 points in leading their team to a four-set win over Catano on Feb. 3. Ashley Benson added eight points in the victory…Michelle Bartsch scored 13 points and Jessica Swarbrick added 10 points in leading Toa Baja to a three-set win over Bayamon on Feb. 3. Kelly Wing and Erin Moore scored 17 points in the loss, while Brianne Barker provided five assists, 10 digs and three points…Megan Ganzer scored 22 points to lead Ponce to a four-set win over Carolina on Feb. 4. Kelsey Black added 19 points and 14 digs in the victory, while teammate Airial Salvo tacked on 15 points. Kristen Dozier scored 19 points for Carolina in the loss, followed by Morgan Beck’s 16 points and Diane Copenhagen’s 12 points…Brooke Delano scored nine points in Caguas’ four-set win over Mayaguez on Feb. 4. In the loss, Stephanie Niemer charted a team-high 17 points while Blair Brown added 12 points. Sydney Anderson contributed 17 assists in the loss…Kristy Jaeckel collected 18 points in Guaynabo’s four-set win over Juncos on Feb. 4, while Kelly Murphy added 16 assists, eight kills, two aces and nine digs in the victory. Kim Willoughby pocketed 22 points in the loss and Mekana Barnes scored five points.

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COBRA SPORTS

Australia names Continental Cup tandems

2012-02-07T13:45:48Z

Sydney, Australia, February 7, 2013 – Australia’s Natalie Cook, gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, will partner Tamsin Hinchley for the final zonal stage of the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, set to take place in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand from February 16 to 17, with fellow Olympians Louise Bawden and Josh Slack joining them.

Bawden will partner Becchara Palmer while Slack will team up with Chris McHugh for the tournament, which will see the top three teams qualify for the finals. Sam Boehm and Isaac Kapa make up the remaining men’s team for Australia.

The four Australian tandems will face the likes of fellow Oceania countries Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Western Samoa, the Cook Islands, the Northern Marianas and hosts New Zealand.

Australia coach Steve Tutton, who has been a major part of Australia’s last four Olympic campaigns, was confident ahead of the tournament.

“Australia has a real chance of qualifying two teams in the women’s tournament for London through the top 16 stage and through the Continental Cup process,” he said. “At the moment Palmer and Bawden are sitting in 15th and Cook and Hinchley at 25th on the FIVB Olympic rankings.

“But not only do teams have to make the top 16 they have to have played in 12 FIVB tournaments and so that’s another challenge for Cook and Hinchley.

“So we have to show our dominance throughout the Continental Cup tournaments and every team will be in there playing their hearts out for Australia and it will also be vital for us to be armed with good quality scouting information.

“The boys teams know their best realistic chances for London will be through stages two and three and they will be there playing for each other the whole way.

“It will also be important to ensure that through this whole process that if our teams do qualify that they are all in the best possible shape to challenge for medals in London.”

The three countries that finish on the podium will face teams from across Asia in the AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup finals from June 18 to 24, with the winner of that earning a berth to the London 2012 Olympic Games. So far, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka have qualified for both the men’s and women’s editions while Chinese Taipei and India join the women’s bracket and Hong Kong and Iran join the men’s.

Tutton said that if one of the women’s teams qualifies through the Top 16 stage one process and stages two and three are still alive he will promote the emerging team of Taliqua Clancy and Karly Hynes to step up and help Australia qualify.

COBRA SPORTS

Algeria women clinch ticket to London Olympic Games

2012-02-07T13:42:43Z

Blida, Algeria, February 4, 2012 - Hosts Algeria became the fifth women’s team to secure a ticket to the volleyball competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games after they won the Women's African Olympic Qualification tournament on Saturday, with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 25-12) victory over reigning African champions Kenya on the third and final day at Tchaker Blida Hall in Algeria.

With the victory, Algeria guaranteed a place at the Olympic Games for the second time in row after they competed in Beijing 2008.

In the play off for third in the four nation tournament, Egypt beat the Seychelles 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-21).

Algeria entertained the 5,000 fans in attendance with their victory over Kenya coming in 88 minutes. Experienced wing spiker Faiza Tsabet and center Lydia Oloumou were the key players for Algeria with the skillful setting of Fatima Zahra also playing a part. Tsabet was the top scorer with 19 points while Oloumou recorded 16. Edinah Rotich was Kenya's best scorer with 13 points.

"The win came thanks to the sacrifice and good work of all the players who made a good preparation," Algeria coach George Strumelo said. "Now we will celebrate this qualification before begining to prepare for the 2012 London Olympics to make a good show."

The result was a repeat of the 3-1 win for Algeria over Kenya at the 2011 World Cup - the opening qualifying event for the Olympic Games - where they finished 11th and 12th respectively.

Algeria was the only African women's side to play at the 2008 Olympic Games while Kenya had the honour in 2004 and 2000. All three times, Africa's representative finished 11th out of 12 teams.

Women's teams qualified for the London Olympic Games:
Great Britain (Hosts)
Italy (World Cup winner)
USA (World Cup second place)
China (World Cup third place)
Algeria (African Olympic Qualification winner)

Match Results

Thursday, February 2, 2012

16:00: Algeria v Egypt 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20)

18:00: Seychelles v Kenya 0-3 (15-25, 21-25, 23-25)

Friday, February 3, 2012

1500: Algeria v Seychelles 3-0 (25-6, 25-6, 25-12)

17:00: Kenya v Egypt 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 16-14)

Saturday, February 4, 2012

15:00: Algeria v Kenya 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 20-25, 25-12)

17:00: Egypt v Seychelles 3-0 (25-18, 25-8, 25-21)

Results

No	Date	Teams	Set	Result per set (points)					Total Points	Time	Audience
No	Date	Teams	Set	1	2	3	4	5	Total Points	Time	Audience
1	02-Feb	SEY-KEN	0-3	15-25	21-25	23-25			59-75	1:17	100
2	02-Feb	EGY-ALG	1-3	20-25	25-23	17-25	20-25		82-98	1:54	3,000
3	03-Feb	ALG-SEY	3-0	25-6	25-6	25-12			75-24	1:00	2,000
4	03-Feb	KEN-EGY	3-2	25-23	23-25	25-13	20-25	16-14	109-100	2:07	600
5	04-Feb	EGY-SEY	3-0	25-18	25-8	25-21			75-47
6	04-Feb	ALG-KEN	3-1	25-16	25-21	20-25	25-12		95-74	1:37	5,000

Ranking

Rk	Code	Team	Points	Matches		Points			Sets
Rk	Code	Team	Points	Won	Lost	Won	Lost	Ratio	Won	Lost	Ratio
1	ALG	ALGERIE	6	3		268	180	1.489	9	2	4.500
2	KEN	KENYA	5	2	1	258	254	1.016	7	5	1.400
3	EGY	EGYPTE	4	1	2	257	254	1.012	6	6	1.000
4	SEY	SEYCHELLES	3		3	130	225	0.578		9

COBRA SPORTS